Japan Markit/JMMA Manufacturing PMI for February: 51.5 (vs. expected 52.5)

Growth rate slows to weakest since July

Amy Brownbill, Economist at Markit:

"The latest data signalled an improvement in operating conditions in the Japanese manufacturing sector.

Despite a growth slowdown in incoming new orders, manufacturing production growth was solid and unchanged from the previous month.

Meanwhile, new orders from international markets increased at the fastest rate since October 2014 - driven by the weaker yen.

However, employment growth weakened for the second successive month in February despite reports of an improving economy"